Unit 2: Molecules Flashcards
What are the SI Units Prefixes?
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Explain why carbon is the most suited for being the backbone of everything
Carbon:
- Since it has 4 valence electrons, It can form 4 single bonds and is thus suited for being the backbone due to its stability
- It allows carbs, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids to form
What is a monomer and polymer + in the context of carbohydrates?
Monomer:
- Molecules that join to other similar molecules to form a polymer OR one unit of something
EX: DNA’s monomers are nucleotides + Polymer = DNA
Carbohydrates:
- Their monomers are monosaccharides + polymer = carbs
How are polypeptides formed?
Process:
- Polypeptides are made via condensation reactions which release a water molecule
- The OH/hydroxyl group is from both of the monosaccharide leaves. Leaving the molecule w one oxygen between them
- Bonds are usually formed between 1 and 4 prime carbon of diff. monosaccharides
What is a monosaccharide
Monosaccharides:
- Defined as a single sugar molecule
- Atoms C,H,O are always in a 1:2:1 ratio EX: C6H12O6
- hydrogen to oxygen ratio is 2:1
Carbohydrates are also broken down in digestion. What is the process?
Carbs:
- are broken via hydrolysis reactions
- Are defined by an addition of water to split apart the bond of a large molecule
How are carbohydrates classified?
Classification:
- is classified based on the # of sugar molecules
- one sugar are called monosaccharide, two are disaccharides, and many are polysaccharides + poly are the energy for organisms
Define hexose sugars and pentose sugars
Hexose:
- are monosaccharides with 6 carbon
EX: Glucose, galactose, fructose
Pentose:
- monosaccharide w 5 carbons
EX: deoxyribose and ribose
What are alpha and beta glucose and its differences
Glucose:
- are types of glucose and hexose sugars
- alpha: at the one prime carbon, the hydroxyl group is pointed up
-Beta: at the one prime carbon, the hydroxyl group is going down
Outline 3 properties of glucosej
Glucose:
1. is Soluble in water because it’s polar and can be dissolved in a polar solvent such as water
2. can be easily transported EX: in the bloodstream
3. relatively stable compound and doesn’t degrade as its being transported cause strong cov bonds 4. Yields a great amount of energy when the covalent bonds break
What are the energy sources in plants and it’s structure
Starch:
- Starch is made of amylose amylopectin
- Amylose: long chains of alpha glucose molecules
- Amylopectin: long chains of alpha glucose + branching of alpha glucose
- Starch is not soluble in water due to the size which allows for compact storage of starch grains w out affecting osmotic pressure
- After 20 glucose units, amylopectin has a branch
- They are bonded w glycosidic bonds
- are compact due to branching and coiling
Note: Starch is made of glucose molecules
What is the energy source for animals:?
Glycogen:
- is defined as a polysaccharide for short-term energy
- has cov bonds between 1 + 4 carbon and has branches of alpha glucose bonding to 6 prime carbon
- Its insoluble, and compact due to branches and coiling
Note: Glycogen is made of glucose molecules
What is the polysaccharide found in the cell wall of plants?
Cell wall:
- cellulose has long chains of beta glucose molecules which are unbranched
- molecules bonded between 1 + 4 carbon
- every second beta glucose molecule is flipped resulting in a straight chain
- Cellulose forms groups called microfibrils held together by hydrogen bonds
- Microfibrils have high tensile strength to maintain the structural integrity of cell wall
What are the different types of fatty acids and their composition?
Fatty acids:
- Contain a carboxyl group (-COOH) and a methyl group (-CH3)
- can be saturated: only contains single bonds between hydrocarbon chain
- can be unsaturated which means they have double bonds that are bent and are called kinks
- Amongst unsaturated, it can be monounsaturated or polyunsaturated meaning one or many double bonds
How does carbohydrate assist with membrane proteins ?
Mem proteins:
- glycoproteins have a carbohydrate chain
- the carb has a specific shape that can act as an antigen: the molecule that binds to a receptor on a cell surface for cell to cell communication (ID card)
Outline the roles of glycoproteins
Glycoproteins:
- cell to cell adhesion: interact with other glycoproteins to form tissue
- receptors: when hormones bind = changes metabolism in cell
- cell-cell communication: neurotransmitters bind to glycoproteins
- immune response: act as markers on cells allowing the immune system to distinguish outside cells
- act as an antigen which simulates an immune response = production of antibodies to remove pathogens
Outline the differences in fats and oils
Fats:
- fats are triglycerides which are solid at room temperature
- they have a higher MP and are usually saturated
- used by animals
Oils:
- oils are triglycerides that are liquid at room temperature w a lower MP
- fatty acids are unsaturated because the kinks mean they are more spread out so they turn liquid
- Oils are used by plants and fish
Outline the composition of triglycerides and phospholipids
Triglycerides:
- made of one glycerol molecule (a sugar) and 3 fatty acids
Phospholipids:
- made of one glycerol molecule + 2 fatty acids + one phosphate
- both are formed via condensation reactions
Explain how triglycerides are good insulators
- triglycerides are good insulators cause they have a low thermal conductivity
Outline the composition of steroids + whether they can diffuse across cell mem + examples
Steroids:
- they are lipids with 4 carbon rings +. a hydrocarbon chain
- They can diffuse through the cell mem cause they dissolve in fatty acid tail
EX: Oestradiol and testosterone
Outline the properties of water + give some examples of whr water can be found
Water:
- is polar, covalent, w weak charges at poles
- is dense as a liquid than a solid EX: ice floats in water
- can bond with 4 other water molecules
Examples:
- water makes up the cyto and is also found between cells as interstitail fluid because metabolic processes work best in an aqueous environment